The Golden mean: 'Unique' new hotel uses ancient design formula

Monday

Jan 28, 2008 at 12:01 AMJan 28, 2008 at 1:43 AM

The Hotel Indigo does have the bare essentials - a bed, running water and sheets. But don't kid yourself, this is not an ordinary hotel. One of the more distinctive aspects of the hotel is its design, which is inspired by an ancient design scheme called "the Golden mean,"

Eric Athas

The Hotel Indigo does have the bare essentials - a bed, running water and sheets. But don't kid yourself, this is not an ordinary hotel.

The newly built facility on Grove Street features flat-panel TVs in every room, a unique design and even a lobby scent that differs depending on the season. This season's scent is peppermint.

Owners, designers and developers of the boutique hotel held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday, introducing the first hotel of its kind in Massachusetts.

"Quite honestly, it's unique," said Justin Krebs, principal with New Jersey-based Normandy Real Estate Partners, the co-owner of the new hotel. "We're really thrilled with the brand."

The hotel is also owned by Paul Ferreira, of Blue Hawk Investments, which is located in Newton. Hotel Indigo is part of InterContinental Hotels Group, which has built 10 "brand" hotels around the country, and have another 60 on the way, according to a press release.

The idea behind Hotel Indigo is that unlike most chain hotels, no two locations will look alike. For example, Krebs said, the property in Florida won't look exactly like the ones in the Northeast.

"I'm just excited to be here," Ferreira said. "This brand is allowing the owners to do their own thing."

The hotel is located right off Exit 22 on Rte. 128, near the Riverside T stop. Before Continental Hotels took over the location, it was home to a Holiday Inn.

The 191 rooms in Hotel Indigo have hardwood floors and colors that designers say are custom-matched to New England. Large glass windows and shower doors, rather than curtains, are also some of the highlights.

One of the more distinctive aspects of the hotel is its design, which is inspired by an ancient design scheme called "the Golden mean," according to a press release.

The Golden mean is basically a ratio that is pleasing to the eye and has been used since 1200 AD, according to the release. For example, the headboard of Hotel Indigo's beds were designed in accordance with the Golden mean.

The design is located in many parts of the hotel, and hotel guests are invited to try and identify them throughout the building.

"It's a ratio that's pleasing to the human mind," said James Anhunt, senior vice president of Brand Development at InterContinental Hotels Group. Hotel Indigo's logo, a nautilus shell, is an example of how the Golden mean is also located in nature.

Over the next few months, Indigo will be adding two features to its building. The first is a restaurant, which is in the process of being built. The other is a heated outdoor pool, which will include a hot tub and LCD flat-panel TVs, according to Dianne Falaguerra, account executive for Solomon McCown & Company, Inc. She said the pool is set to open in the summer.